On March 14th the Crawford county Sheriff’s office and Pittsburg police will be recognized with the AAA Platinum Safety Awards for their efforts to encourage safety particularly in today's youth.Those efforts took the shape of a mock crash at Pittsburg high school today which doubled as a training exercise for emergency personnel. All the while delivering a serious message to students.

Sirens blared while police and firefighters evaluated victims of an alcohol related crash.High school EMT students were the injured learning about emergency response.

Kelsey Fuchs said, "I learned that it can be very terrifying for a patient."She was removed from the crashed vehicle and put on a chopper.Fuchs said, "I think being able to be in the patients position is super valuable because if this were to ever happen and I were called to the scene i could say this is what’s gonna happen next this is what its gonna fee like."

Sydney Schaar was ejected from the car hit by a drunk driver.And killed. Something organizers say is too common in Crawford county.Dr. Tim Stebbins said, "Forty-four percent in Crawford county with thirty-three percent average overall statewide. That’s a lot of people dying needlessly related to alcohol."

Medical officials say twenty-eight people were found dead at the scenes of accidents in Crawford county last year and six already this year so besides doing training for those helping victims, they hope to prevent people from getting into these accidents altogether.

Sydney added, "I really hope seeing friends injured or fake injured, it shows some people what the world looks like. What actually happens"

One driver gets a sobriety test and ends up arrested.The goal to impact students works for some.

Freshman Alyssa Sanders exclaimed, “No drinking! She has to deal with it the rest of her life but these people are dead"Susan Caffrey, a junior said she learned, "To always think before you do stuff.” Malayna Brown, a senior said, "It gets real when you see the sheets over people. So yeah that definitely has an impact."And Rachel Ruiz added, "I think the realization that this could happen to anyone. It could happen to me. But, I think it’s important for everyone to know that seat belts do save lives"

Proof Crawford county's efforts are successful in that area.The county’s seat belts Are For Everyone or SAFE coordinator, Dep. David Petrey said, "Our seat belt usage has gone quite a bit up. We're at a ninety percentile now of people wearing seat belts."

They hope to have similar results when it comes to drinking and driving but students are still skeptical it will change all minds..

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS Representatives from Missouri's Democratic party visit Joplin to discuss planned legislation for farmers. Democrats have called their legislation the "Farmers’ Bill of Rights," and it includes three components. One of them is the "right to rural opportunity." Representatives from Missouri's Republican party issued a statement to KOAM and the statement did not address specific parts of the proposed legislation...More >>

FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS Representatives from Missouri's Democratic party visit Joplin to discuss planned legislation for farmers. Democrats have called their legislation the "Farmers’ Bill of Rights," and it includes three components. One of them is the "right to rural opportunity." Representatives from Missouri's Republican party issued a statement to KOAM and the statement did not address specific parts of the proposed legislation...More >>

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.

Holiday baked goods were for sale at First Community Church in Joplin this Sunday. Cookies, muffins, pie, banana bread, carrot cake, and other sweet treats were for sale as part of an annual charity event.

Holiday baked goods were for sale at First Community Church in Joplin this Sunday. Cookies, muffins, pie, banana bread, carrot cake, and other sweet treats were for sale as part of an annual charity event.

Labette County, Kansas students of all ages joined more than four hundred million students around the world today taking part in the hour of code. An opportunity to try their hand at coding and programming computer games.

Labette County, Kansas students of all ages joined more than four hundred million students around the world today taking part in the hour of code. An opportunity to try their hand at coding and programming computer games.

About five hundred families are asking the Joplin Salvation Army for help this Christmas. And with several kids in each family, that can mean thousands of toys are needed. Angel trees play an important role in meeting that need.

About five hundred families are asking the Joplin Salvation Army for help this Christmas. And with several kids in each family, that can mean thousands of toys are needed. Angel trees play an important role in meeting that need.

The Carthage Salvation Army working to collect toys to help one hundred families this holiday season. It uses toy donations to create a toy store where parents can get just the right item for their child.

The Carthage Salvation Army working to collect toys to help one hundred families this holiday season. It uses toy donations to create a toy store where parents can get just the right item for their child.

A series of appointments and then withdrawn appointments to the Missouri State Board of Education by Governor Eric Greitens inevitably resulted in the outcome he sought which was the firing of Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven. Critics are accusing the republican governor of a power grab.

A series of appointments and then withdrawn appointments to the Missouri State Board of Education by Governor Eric Greitens inevitably resulted in the outcome he sought which was the firing of Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven. Critics are accusing the republican governor of a power grab.